Each year since 2009 an American city has been crowned "Beer City
USA" as a result of votes cast in a national poll produced by the Brewers
Association. Asheville has won this award four times since the poll began, a
clear recognition of its growing and vibrant craft beer culture. All of Western
North Carolina with its growing number of large and small companies can be
considered the brewing capital of the southeast, with Asheville the absolute
epicenter. On any given day, a staggering array of craft beers can be purchased
on draft or in bottles at local pubs, bars and restaurants, and over 17 craft
breweries (and counting) can be found In the Asheville area alone. With the
arrival of major companies Sierra Nevada in South Asheville and New Belgium in
the River Arts District, Asheville has arrived as a true beer lover's paradise.
There are a number of popular beer-centric festivals -the Winter Warmer Beer
festival in January, the Beer City Festival In June and the Brewgrass Festival
In September all topped off with the Oktoberest in October. A number of local
craft breweries, as well as Sierra Nevada, New Belgium and Highland Brewing,
also give tours of their facilities. Daily walking, mobile and private tours of
Asheville's micro-brewery scene is also offered by Asheville Brewery Tours
(828-233-5006).

Listed below are the best places to sample the
staggering array of beer offered by Asheville area breweries and pubs. See also
Asheville Nightlife for more
information about Asheville's many nightclubs and music venues

Sierra Nevada Brewing Company
Location: Mills River area south of Asheville
Address: 100 Sierra Nevada Way, Mills River, NC 28732
Telephone: 828-681-5300, Tour Desk 828-708-6176
Website: www.sierranevada.com
Hours: Taproom and restaurant open daily, call for hours or visit
website.
Offers: A myriad of seasonal beers and bottled specialties Sierra
Nevada has produced in recent years, as well as an expansion of the
brewery's well-known flagship product: Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.
Notes: Daily tours, taproom and restaurant. Located on 200 acres
along the French Broad River. Founded in 1980, Sierra Nevada Brewing
Company is one of America's premier craft breweries, highly regarded
for using only whole-cone hops and ingredients of the finest
quality.